Bikaner Travel
Bikaner replete with scores of sand dunes has its history in later half
of 15th Century. The kingdom was founded out of the barren wilderness of
only 84 villages by a Rathore prince, Rao Bikaji. He was the most adventurous
of the five sons of Rao Jodhaji the founder of Jodhpur. With a ragtag band
of only 300 men in tow, he annexed the territories of the Godara Jats in
1486. Subsequently, his rule encompassed 3000 villages. It was centre to
the ancient trading routes. Shrewd military and political manoeuvrings helped
raise the revenue by levying on passing caravans on the silk route.
Later, in 1587, Rao Rai Singh started building the Junagarh Fort, which
is a rich historical and architectural legacy in reddish-pink sandstone.
The fort was often attacked but never conquered. It held within its ramparts
37 palaces, pavilions and temples. The decoration of the apartments within
by successive kings has the influence of Mughal style. The dexterous creation
of profusion and illusion is reflected in Anup Mahal and Badal Mahal. The
other treats to the eye are Har Mandir and Gaj Mandir.
The eminence of Maharaja Ganga Singh (1887-1943) started reflecting in the
modernisation of the city without disburbing the basic fibre. Even today
the city’s lifestyle is embedded with the same medieval grandeur. The modern
day cars/vehicles are no threat to Camel - the ship of the desert; they
juxtapose smoothly in every day life. Camel speeds past in smile as sport
and transport while the other vehicles are having hiccups climbing sand
dunes. Bikaner has the world’s largest Camel research and breeding farm.
North India Heritage
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